Isiah Christie 
While Hoboken and Jersey City are filled with notable restaurants, businesses, and community hubs, the real backbone of our beloved home is the people behind it all. In honor of Pride month, The Hoboken Girl is highlighting nine LGBTQ+ locals serving the community in amazing ways. Read on for a list of LGBTQ+ community leaders in Hoboken and Jersey City.
Rich Kiamco | Jersey City Comedian
Photo Credit: Brett Cohen
LGBTQ+ comedian Rich Kiamco has performed for the Jersey City community for many years. He once attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC and has had a passion for comedy ever since. His “origin story,” as he previously referred to it, started at his university’s dorm talent show. In the doorway between the laundry and the workroom, while everyone was sitting on the floor in their sweats and pajamas, Rich performed his first act. “I killed it; it was like discovering I was Spider-Man. There was webbing coming out of my wrists, but they were all punchlines, and I felt so high like a superhero,” he once said. Rich thrives on representing the LGBTQ+ community in his medium. “Visibility isn’t just a celebration, it’s creating protection,” he shared. Readers can find Rich performing every weekend with The Laugh Tour Comedy Club at Dorrian’s Red Hand, located at 555 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City. “As the founder, I’m proud to have built Jersey City’s premier comedy destination from the ground up,” Rich shared. “We’re a gay-owned business that has sold over 17,000 tickets and hosted 124 sold-out shows in less than three years.”
Keep up with Rich and his comedic journey on his Instagram and check out his upcoming shows.
Read More: LGBTQ+-Owned Businesses to Support in Hudson County
Dr. Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez | Jersey City Entrepreneur
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Dr. Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez wears many hats in the community. She is a two-time combat veteran, Jersey City resident, professor, podcast host, and was the owner of the former businesses SW3AT Wellness and The Other Side Dispensary in the Heights. She now runs the Flowers + Tea podcast, which aims to uplift voices that are overlooked in cannabis and political discourse. With her active entrepreneurship throughout many different spaces, Alyza aims to serve underrepresented communities and uplift the LGBTQ+ and black communities of Hudson County.
Keep up with Alyza and all her ventures in Jersey City on her Instagram and YouTube.
Ken Montes de Oca + Matthew Cunningham | Co-Owners of Ken Pilates
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Kennyth Montes de Oca and Matthew Cunningham are Hoboken residents, fiancés, and co-owners of Ken Pilates. Located at 702 Grand Street, Hoboken. Ken Pilates was founded in 2023 with the goal of being a safe space for underrepresented communities in the Mile Square. “My goal is to provide a space that is inclusive, welcoming, and free of judgment, where all feel accepted and supported, especially those from marginalized communities,” Kennyth shared with The Hoboken Girl in 2023. “That’s why Ken Pilates is inspired to create a diverse team of instructors, including women of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and immigrants, to create a space where everyone can feel confident and comfortable.” Fun fact: Matthew was also once a contributor for HG. Read his past stories here.
Keep up with Kennyth + Matthew and their Pilates business on Instagram and website.
Elizabeth Schedl | Executive Director of Hudson Pride Center
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Elizabeth Schedl is the Executive Director of the Hudson Pride Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing advocacy and social support services for the local LGBTQIA+ community. Since joining the organization in 2013, she has actively worked to promote LGBTQ+ rights, inclusion, and community wellness throughout Hudson County and the Greater New Jersey area. Prior to her current role, she was the Chief Operations Officer + Deputy Director. Aside from her work within Hudson Pride Center, Elizabeth is a member of the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Union City Municipal Alliance to Combat Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Governor’s Age-Friendly State Advisory Council, and Advisory Council for Healthy New Jersey 2030. When she’s not doing amazing work in the community, she’s enjoying her time with her wife, daughter, and dog in Jersey City.
Keep up with Elizabeth and all that she does on her Instagram.
Beth Achenbach | Jersey City Artist
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Beth Achenbach is a Jersey City-based artist who specializes in photography and digital art, and she is a founding creator of Alley Cat Gallery, which can be found in the 76 Cole Street Alley between 4th and 5th Streets. She is also a member of the Hudson County LGBTQ + Advisory Task Force, which “[provides] invaluable insight and recommendations to addressing the needs and concerns of our LGBTQ+ residents in Hudson County,” Hudson County Executive Craig Guy said via a statement. Among 16 other members, Beth was chosen for her “strong understanding of LGBTQ+ issues and passion for making Hudson County more inclusive.”
Keep up with Beth and her art on her Instagram and YouTube.
Joseph Zapata | Community Engagement Manager of Hudson Pride Center
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Jersey City resident Joseph Zapata is the Community Engagement Manager at Hudson Pride Center and a member of the Hudson Pride team. Within his role, Joseph “builds relationships with service providers, local community members, and volunteers to enhance programs and expand the Center’s reach and engagement within the LGBTQ+ community in Hudson County,” according to the organization’s website. Along with his work at the Hudson Pride Center, he organizes free HIV testing events for Hudson County residents and curates the PrEP for a World without HIV campaign.
Keep up with Joseph and his work within Hudson County on the Hudson Pride Center’s Instagram.
Laura Knittel | Hoboken LGBTQIA+ Liaison
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In 2018, the city of Hoboken established the official role of LGBTQIA+ Liaison. Laura Knittel was appointed to the role and has been a resource for the public, serving as the bridge between the city and the Mile Square’s LGBTQ+ community. As the liaison, Laura was also behind Hoboken’s first-ever series of Pride Month events in 2018 and has helped facilitate them each year since. This included the painting of the first-ever rainbow crosswalks outside of City Hall.
Evan Karadimos + Michael Brooks | Founders of Hot Gay Walk
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Evan Karadimos and Michael Brooks are the founders of Hot Gay Walk, a Jersey City + Hoboken-based walking club that hosts free community walks for LGBTQ+ locals and allies. Some of the club’s upcoming events for Pride 2026 include a Fairies Pride Picnic at Liberty State Park on Sunday, June 14th, and collaborations with Cycle Bar, Solid Core, and Barry’s Hoboken throughout the remainder of the month.
For info on the Hot Gay Walk’s upcoming walk dates, meeting spots, events, and other details, be sure to check out its Instagram.
Chris Garces | Social Media Influencer + Content Creator
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Chris Garces is a Jersey City-based social media influencer and content creator who blends fashion, lifestyle, and humor in his videos. He has gained a massive following on Instagram and TikTok, with the hope of inspiring others and advocating for LGBTQ+ causes.
Keep up with Chris and his videos on his Instagram and TikTok.
Jeana F. Abuan | Chief Taskforce Administrative Officer of Jersey City’s LGBTQ+ Task Force
Jeana F. Abuan is the Chief Taskforce Administrative Officer of the City of Jersey City’s LGBTQ+ Task Force. According to the city’s website, the task force’s mission is “to promote & practice equality, respect & inclusiveness for LGBTQ+ employees, residents, businesses & organizations.”
To learn more about Jeana and her work with Jersey City’s LGBTQ+ Task Force, visit the City of Jersey City’s website here.
Alexandra Giaimo | Sports Journalist + MLB Network Correspondent
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Alexandra Giaimo is a sports journalist, MLB Network correspondent, and a star on the Netflix series King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch. A New Jersey native originally from the Jersey Shore, Alexandra has served as an official team reporter for the New York Jets, host for MLB Network, and is a media voice in the sports trading card community, a hobby she has enjoyed for years. In a 2016 interview with Team HG, Alexandra shared that she wants to use her platform to stand up for others who may struggle with voicing their identities. “I’m trying my best to break down the labels and stereotypes that a ton of people in my situation battle with,” she shared. “I want to use my voice and platform to stand up for people that don’t have the same luxury as I do, and if that hurts my career, so be it.”
To keep up with Alexandra and her work in the sports industry, be sure to check out her Instagram.
Eddie Baez | Chief Taskforce Administrative Officer of Jersey City’s LGBTQ+ Task Force
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Eddie Baez is the Jersey City LGBTQ+ Pride Festival Producer and creator of Gayborhood Jersey City, and has lived in Jersey City for nearly 20 years. Eddie, who experienced the HIV/AIDS crisis, was inspired to be a social worker and advocate to help members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies who are in need. He has worked with Jersey City Pride since 2013 and has been a co-producer of the event for six years.
To learn more about Eddie and his work with Jersey City Pride + Gayborhood Jersey City, visit here.
Sophia + Bless | Founders of Little City Queers
Sophia and Bless are staff members of Little City Books and organize Little City Queers, a book club designed to provide a space in Hoboken for people to find LGBTQ+ community. The club has monthly meetups to discuss LGBTQ+ literature.
To learn about Sophia + Bless’ work with Little City Queers, visit the book club’s Instagram page.
Bonus
Jinwoo Chong | Author
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Jinwoo Chong is a Weehawken-based author, best known for his novel Flux. In 2023, Flux was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel, was awarded the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, and was named the “New York Times Editor’s Choice” and best book of 2023 by Apple Books, Amazon Books, Esquire, HuffPost, GQ, Cosmopolitan, and Goodreads. Jinwoo also joined Completely Booked, founded by HG contributor Jordan Hernandez, to discuss the inner workings of his 2025 novel I Leave It Up to You.
Keep up with Jinwoo on his website and Instagram.
See More: Pride Events Happening at the Jersey Shore in 2026
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